Bal d'Afrique Byredo 2009 Eau de Parfum

Shop now

Search on

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network.

Shop now

8.2 / 10 1330 Ratings

Bal d'Afrique (Eau de Parfum) is a popular perfume by Byredo for women and men and was released in 2009. The scent is floral-fruity. It is being marketed by Manzanita Capital. Pronunciation

Goes well with Molecule 01

Search on

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network.

Main accords

Floral

Fruity

Fresh

Sweet

Citrus

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Tagetes

Bergamot

Buchu

Lemon

Neroli

Heart Notes

Cyclamen

Jasmine

Violet

Base Notes

Musk

Vetiver

Amber

Atlas cedar

Perfumer

Jérôme Epinette

Ratings

Scent

8.21330 Ratings

Longevity

6.81148 Ratings

Sillage

6.51139 Ratings

Bottle

7.81074 Ratings

Value for money

6.3554 Ratings

Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 03.06.2023.

Rate
Collection
Classify
Notes

Reviews

31 in-depth fragrance descriptions

Popular
Latest
Oldest
Positive
Negative
Comments

12/04/2020

8
Bottle 5
Sillage 6
Longevity 9
Scent

FvSpee

Translated Show original

FvSpee

Top Review 44

Lemon butterfly hovers over cyclamen

Bal d'Afrique is a very popular fragrance with over 400 owners here in the Forum, at least for a simple and quite expensive (50ml=127 €, 100ml=187€) niche product. It also seems to be included in the collection of fragrances of the muse Calliope, inspiring its users to write numerous and wordy reviews: Eight comments only this year, ten statements in the last 30 days!

So far I have been quite satisfied with my laconic statement. But the fact that I was able to enjoy this wonderful perfume on myself again today and at the same time saw it appreciated in Insa's (very readable) blog post on light, simple fragrances motivated me to add another comment, which hopefully will be as simple (though not as beautiful) as its subject.

Anyway, the Swedish-French house Byredo does not enjoy a good reputation in my gang in this forum. I agree that the brand combines high prices with, shall we say, discreet performance. And I find about two thirds of the house's fragrances I've tested to be mediocre.

On the other hand, I appreciate the simple design as well as the double renunciation of hyperinflationary emission policies and excessive, stupidly chattering advertising steam. And I always find jewels among the fragrances of the house that are second to none, so that Byredo is one of the very few brands of which I own three products (bottles of 50 each, that's my financial compromise: with a large collection of fragrances you won't get to use up 100ml anyway).

Bal d'Afrique is an incredibly cheerful, light, gently floating perfume, which immediately evokes in me the thought of a butterfly. Its big, big heart is delicately floral: all kinds of pretty, modest, lovely violets with pastel-friendly and delicately moist, velvety petals. A pale yellow citrus veil hovers above them, underneath (with narrowed eyes) a whispered base can be seen, which (horrible dictu in this delicacy) even gives a hint of something dark and woody.

That's about it, actually. Bal d'Afrique has two rather rare ingredients that I do not know more closely, but which are plausible in this fluffy scent: The Buchu bush, which is native to South Africa and traditionally used as a medicinal and spice herb, which has an aroma reminiscent of blackcurrant, and the South American Tagetes plant, which is said to have an aniseed-saffron scent, contain coumarin and sometimes have slightly psychedelic effects.

The fragrance pyramid on the manufacturer's website differs slightly from the one shown here, it does not contain neroli and marigold, but the African marigold. Despite this, the composition's references to Africa (and to the idea of a ball) should be as delicate as the fragrance itself. But never mind, I still find the name beautiful.

Bal d'Afrique, for all its simplicity, is very independent and unmistakable. The projection of the fragrance is discreet, but the shelf life, assuming a generous dosage, can last up to six hours. In its softness it is certainly not a typical men's fragrance, but as the reviewer and almost 39% of the owners catalogued here show, it is absolutely wearable for men

11/01/2020

9
Bottle 6
Sillage 7
Longevity 9.5
Scent

Punx13

Translated Show original

Punx13

Top Review 33

Hesitation for advanced students

Normal procedure:
I get a sample or bottling,
Test 1: likes or dislikes, many fall out after the first test, adios, this will not work out between the two of us, I am very rigorous Test 2: second chance, shortlist, test a few times on different days, either he falls out or:
I really like the scent, the nasty want to have reflex
*joke modean*
You know what I mean and which trains of thought plague us perfumes: which scent can be put into the souk, check your account balance, check your Paypal balance, how much dog or cat food is still there, how long will the gasoline for the car last, weekend shopping is totally overrated, men/women/children can't eat at their relatives' until the first of the next month.....the usual even if you want to have a scent :-)
*joke mode off*

Then I see if I can get a bottle in the souk or find a good price with one of the usual suspects.

With Bal d'Afrique, it was different somehow.

I used up the sample, the question came up: buy a bottle...oh not yet, it's nice but does it have to be?
The next 10 ml as a bottling bought here, used up, buy a bottle...neeeeee still not..but it's sooo beautiful ....but you actually don't like this flowery one, angels + devils on the shoulders were clearly noticeable.

Another 10 ml bought here as a bottling and consumed in record time.... damn it, why doesn't anybody here in the souk sell a bottle??

This little wonderfully smelling beast has so crept into my scented heart, unbelievable....why is it that nobody here still sells a bottle in the souk??

Some people sniff coconut here, fortunately I don't notice that at all, violets also not really, the complete scent is beautiful, creamy, fruity, fluffy, light and bright Round, soft, interwoven, no fragrance sticks out, extremely well done.
I would classify it as unisex, this fragrance is wearable for everyone, uncomplicated and friendly.
With me the fragrance develops an amazing durability of 8 hours and more.

There are days when you just want to feel completely comfortable and well cared for.
On such days the fragrance should not polarize, deter, attract attention or enter the room in front of you.

Spring days, long summer evenings, sunny autumn days, first dates, business appointments, as a mood enhancer, the cosy day on the sofa, Bal d'Afrique simply always fits.

The Devil won, and I finally ordered a bottle... and don't worry, the hubby and the cats are well taken care of and don't go hungry :-)

05/01/2020

7
Bottle 8
Sillage 7
Longevity 10
Scent

Basti87

Translated Show original

Basti87

Top Review 33

Well-groomed and in a good mood

I have known Bal D'Afrique by Byredo for a long time. The superstar of the Swedish brand and this one is also known by many non-niche lovers. I used to order a sample because he is highly regarded on Youtube and is also rated very high with 8.0. Rightly so.
I think I tested this fragrance with a small bottling two years ago. I liked it right away, especially with that unique DNA. After two years of thinking it over, I bought it. Only 50ml, but this brand is really expensive enough. Offers are rare and if only a little reduced. After all I got it for just over 100. You can spend it, because it really has something special about it and does not smell like one of many. In any case an enrichment for a versatile collection.

The fragrance came in a noble packaging. A big stylish box. The flacons of the brand have a classic style. Simple label, charming flacon with magnetic cap. Like so many other brands, this Swedish brand is produced in France.
The scent of this fragrance is rather difficult to describe. People who don't know this scent should definitely test it and be less influenced by scent descriptions. You can also see it in the statements: Many very different views of this fragrance. Some see it as Pina Colada, some as a clean scent. For me, it's simply a very cultivated fragrance with exotic approaches with a lot of inviduality. A fragrance that stands out from the crowd. A great mix of fruity, floral and above all fresh and creamy notes with lots of vetiver. Summery vetiver. Vetiver in large quantities is less my thing, but here it simply harmonizes with this exotic DNA. The fruit has a slight hint of pina colada, but still looks extremely suitable for everyday use. The flowery touch with violets also fits in well. But as I said: If you don't know the scent, you should test it The appearance of this fragrance is extremely well-groomed. Like a noble creamy body lotion. Therefore, this fragrance is suitable for everyday use, but can also be worn excellently in leisure time on mild to warm days. For hot days it is a little too much to demand. On mild autumn days it would still work, but I see it rather in the warmer months.
The performance is good, but not bombastic. For a fresher fragrance it is satisfactory, especially the Sillage. DIe does not overstrain, but is still very present. With a few hours also satisfying in the shelf life.
Last but not least the thing with the target group: For me it's clearly unisex, even if some people see him more on the female side. It has to match the outfit and style. Besides, this unique DNA is really hard to classify since there is nothing comparable in the way. Especially for amateurs. For elegant, well-groomed men, who do not only want to smell classic-masculine. Of course also on ladies terrific.

For me a fragrance that should at least be tested because of this unique DNA. He's earned his fame. Not quite cheap, but worth it.

01/21/2020

6
Bottle 6
Sillage 7
Longevity 8.5
Scent

Pollita

Translated Show original

Pollita

Top Review 32

A dream of fruit, flowers, cream and vetiver

What's the saying? Things always seem to happen when you least expect them. With me, this is always the case with scents. If you know me a little bit, you know that I like it sweet and spicy. In addition, my collection also includes numerous light oriental and classic gourmands. But there are also a few fragrances that are clearly out of line. And they always reach me by chance
Just like Bal d'Afrique. First of all, I have never sniffed a Byredo that really captivated me. I may like to smell many fragrances of this brand, but that I would have seriously thought about buying - necessary!
Second, the scents. What do I want with violets? I am not a lover of flower scents if they are not real flowers in nature. Violets are purple - I like that - but that shouldn't make you feel happy either. Jasmine? I don't really like it. Too opulent, too pompous. With musk and vetiver I say yes, I like it. But also not always and not always necessarily on me.

So without thinking anything bad I spray this Byredo on and think - wow! What's that? Tenderest notes of cream cuddle on my wrist. First of all I have to think of Nivea (the classic one in the blue can). In the background it smells fruity and fresh, similar to Ineke's Chemical Bonding or Al Rayhan. My first association was Chemical Bonding but better, but where the Ineke and the Oriental put the citric permanently in the foreground, this one is no Freshie. This creamy note, presumably of musk, remains for now and is supported towards the end by a heavenly vetiver. Similar to the one I know from Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver. After training I applied it and I always got a touch of Grey Vetiver when I turned my head. But no, that's not my husband who smells so wonderful. He's wearing something different today anyway. That's me! So beautiful is the *melting*

The only thing that has so far prevented me from buying it immediately is that it comes along very, very quietly. Nothing against quiet scents, I see this one also rather in summer and not now at minus temperatures, but Bal d'Afrique is not a scent that stands out. The comment of the gentleman at my side was once again "smells rather weak, but not bad" (as an explanation for all non-Baden-Württemberger, when the Swabian says "not bad" he means well, Swabians always praise automatically if they don't grumble) :)

Still, he's a pretty hot candidate for my wish list. Thanks to AdAstra72 for the sample. I would never have tried it, I would have left it out if it hadn't been in your package

02/22/2021

1
Bottle 2
Sillage 6
Longevity 3.5
Scent

Connie

Translated Show original

Connie

Very helpful Review 22

I don't get the hype.

The scent is pleasant but very unexciting, the hype I personally do not understand.... My fragrance is not at all. For me, the scent does not really smell like a perfume, but more like a cream or how it smells in some wellness oases. Clean, soft and pleasant but not like a fragrance I would like to wear, because I can only bear the scent for a short time. For me, the also a bit too masculine and somehow oppressive in the dry down..

How does the smell so. In the first moment you smell very clearly Tagetes and Buchu, which causes me nausea. A combination I can not stand. Tagetes we had in the garden when I was a kid... I always thought that Tagetes had a kind of cat urine note...Shortly after that I also smelled clearly lemon and neroli. But that's it..The scent stays linear, so it doesn't tell a story... The hardly changes except that this oppressive aura is always clearer..

It is in no way a fragrance that you can buy reassured blindly, even if you might suspect it, if you read all the positive reviews. I do not see a picture in front of me, who could wear this fragrance...? For me as I said more a man than a woman but I see nothing in front of me. For me a soulless boring fragrance with no charisma. Projection is weak and the scent stays skin tight. Sillage is not present..

More reviews